NPP supporters urged to work harder towards 2012 elections

Sunyani (B/A), Jan. 14, GNA - Supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been advised to desist from internal wrangling, remain resolute and work harder to enable NPP to regain power in the 2012 General Election.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP Presidential Candidate for Election 2008, who made the call at Sunyani on Tuesday, asked the followers to eschew bitterness and rancour and reorganise themselves for the elections.

He was addressing NPP rally to show appreciation to the electorate and party supporters in the Brong Ahafo Region for their sacrifice and support for him and the NPP in the last elections.

Nana Akufo-Addo expressed concern about intimidation, assault and brutalities been meted out to NPP followers by some National Democratic Congress (NDC) activists in some parts of the country.

He called on President John Evans Atta Mills and the leadership of the NDC to restrain their supporters from "those excesses", which according to him could undermine peace and national security. Mr. Yaw Osafo-Maafo, a leading member of NPP, assured party supporters that the leadership of the party would ensure that "those acts of intimidation, brutalities and assault suffered by their polling agents in the Volta Region will not happen in subsequent elections". Mr. Peter Mac-Manu, NPP National chairman, and Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, a leading member of the party, also addressed the rally. They advised that as much as radio discussions were important for the growth of the country's democracy, they should be geared towards unity but not to inflame passions to divide the people.

Earlier in the day, NPP supporters, who appeared more of a victorious rather than a losing side in the last elections, made a procession through the principal streets of Sunyani. They danced to brass band music with some of them wielding placards of various inscriptions showing their support for NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo.

Some of the placards read "the elephant is still alive", "the NPP is still strong and unshakable", "Nana is the next president of Ghana", "No Nana no voting in 2012", "our next congress should maintain Nana for 2012", and "we the youth still love you".

Some party supporters made brisk business by selling NPP paraphernalia and souvenirs at the rally and it too a contingent of police personnel hectic time to control the crowd, some of whom wanted to catch glimpse of Nana Akufo-Addo when he visited the Sunyani Central Market before the rally.